Patiala police on Monday claimed to have busted a gang of robbers by arresting three persons who had robbed a jewellery shop in Samana on July 25.

Patiala police on Monday claimed to have busted a gang of robbers by arresting three persons who had robbed a jewellery shop in Samana on July 25.

The accused have been identified as Angrej Singh, Harmeek Singh and Zorawar Singh, all residents of Mehs village near Nabha in Patiala district.

The trio had looted ornaments worth Rs 3 lakh from Soni Jeweller shop in Samana. The police have recovered the ornaments, a 12 bore pistol and a vehicle used during the crime.

Hardial Singh Mann, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Patiala said the accused were professional robbers and several cases of dacoity and theft were already registered against them at various police stations.

Narrating the scene of crime, Mann said the accused went to the jeweller shop and asked him to show them marriage rings. "When the jeweller started showing them boxes containing gold rings and other valuables, one of the accused took out his pistol and they robbed him. The victim tried to follow them, but the robbers fired shot in the air and fled away," the SSP added.

During preliminary interrogation, it came to fore that earlier on August 2 the accused had snatched Rs 4,200 in cash and a liquor case from a wine shop at Allowal village in Patiala district.

Mann said four cases have been registered against accused Angrej Singh and Zorawar Singh, while two cases have been registered against Harneek Singh.